A Passive House starts by reducing energy demand while checking comfort. Solar panels and thick insulation alone do not demonstrate compliance.
An approach with a measurable outcome
The designer coordinates building form, envelope and services within one energy balance. The objective is predictable performance in the stated climate, rather than a collection of products labelled passive.
Five principles
Insulation, efficient windows, thermal-bridge control, airtightness and heat-recovery ventilation work together. A weakness in one component must be reflected in the whole-building calculation.
Beyond an insulated building
An insulated wall does not eliminate junction losses, uncontrolled leakage or losses through glazing. Compare calculated demand and comfort conditions, not just façade thickness.
What the model checks
The model needs consistently measured areas and volumes, climate data, assembly properties, shading and services. Changing window area can affect both winter gains and summer overheating.
Designing for a Ukrainian location
Do not import a fixed insulation thickness from another country. Check winter losses, summer conditions, orientation, shading and ventilation continuity for the actual location.
When the approach is useful
Early design offers the most freedom to adjust geometry and junctions. For renovation, assess existing constraints first; EnerPHit follows its own criteria.
Evidence of compliance
A design target, completed construction and certification are different things. Retain the model, specifications, airtightness results and ventilation commissioning records; certification needs separate confirmation.
| Item | Parameter | Check / result |
|---|---|---|
| Envelope | Losses | Layer continuity |
| Services | Demand and comfort | Calculation and commissioning |
| Construction | Design compliance | Inspection and testing |
What this means for your project
Ask the team to define the energy target, model boundary and verification plan before selecting equipment.
Sources and scope of review
Related reading
- Passive House Classic, Plus and Premium: What Changes
- PHPP: What the Passive House Planning Package Actually Calculates
- The Thermal Envelope: How to Define It Correctly